PCB Prototyping Knowledge Base
Technical guides for in-house PCB prototyping, from mechanical PCB milling and drilling to through-hole connections, solder paste application, component placement and reflow.
Learn the Complete PCB Prototyping Process
The MIPEC Knowledge Base explains the individual processes used in in-house PCB prototyping and prototype assembly. Explore practical guides covering PCB machining, tooling, dust extraction, mechanical through-hole connections and SMT assembly.
Use the sections below to explore a specific process or start with the fundamentals of PCB milling.
What Is PCB Milling?
Learn how mechanical PCB milling creates conductive tracks, isolation paths, drilled holes and board contours without chemical etching.
PCB Milling & Drilling
Learn the fundamentals of mechanical PCB fabrication, including milling tools, machining processes and dust extraction when working with PCB materials such as FR4.
What Is PCB Milling?
Introduction to isolation milling, drilling and routing for in-house PCB prototyping.
Read guide →PCB Milling Tools: Cutters, Routers, End Mills & Drills
Understand the main cutting tools used for isolation milling, copper removal, drilling and PCB contour routing.
Read guide →PCB Milling Dust: Why Dust Extraction Matters
Learn why effective dust extraction is an important part of mechanical PCB machining, especially when processing FR4.
Read guide →PCB Fabrication
Explore processes used after milling and drilling to prepare functional prototype PCBs for assembly.
How Copper Rivets Connect Double-Sided PCBs
Learn how mechanical through-hole connections can create electrical continuity between both sides of a prototype PCB.
Read guide →SMT Assembly
Learn how solder paste is applied, components are positioned and solder joints are formed during prototype PCB assembly.
Solder Paste Stencil Printing
Learn how solder paste is transferred through a stencil onto PCB pads before component placement.
Read guide →Pneumatic Solder Paste Dispensing
Understand how controlled pneumatic dispensing can apply solder paste directly to selected PCB pads.
Read guide →Dispensing vs. Stencil Printing
Compare two common solder paste application methods and understand where each approach fits PCB prototyping.
Read comparison →Manual SMD Component Placement
Learn how manual Pick & Place systems assist with accurate positioning of SMD components on prototype PCBs.
Read guide →How Thermal Profiles Form SMT Solder Joints
Understand the role of the thermal profile during reflow soldering and how the assembled PCB passes through the process.
Read guide →Nitrogen Reflow Soldering – When and Why to Use N₂
Learn how a nitrogen atmosphere reduces oxidation during reflow, improves solder wetting and supports demanding SMT assemblies.
Read guide →Complete PCB Prototyping Workflow
See how PCB milling, drilling, board preparation and SMT assembly connect into one complete in-house prototyping workflow.
From PCB Milling to a Complete SMT Prototype
Follow the progression from a machined PCB through solder paste application, component placement and reflow.
Read workflow →Explore the Complete MIPEC Workflow
See how data preparation, PCB milling, through-hole connection, solder paste application, component placement and reflow fit together in an in-house PCB prototyping laboratory.